The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1887-04-17
CAPT. ANDREWS REMAINS.
Sequel to a Tragic Event of Twenty-Five
Years Ago.
From The Atlanta (Ga) journal

On Monday afternoon last Maj. E. B Kirke,
A. @. NJ, II. S. A.. DR.. D. L. Wilson, Presi-
dent of the National Surgical Institute, and
Mr. Fred j. Cooke, resident manager of the
American Press Association, wended their
way out Peachtree street, bent upon mis-
sion which was to prove the sequel of
tragic event that occurred just quarter of
acentury ago. Turning to the right along
Ponce dc Leon avenue, about one and one
half miles north of the Union depot, and
again to the leftand north up Juniper street,
leading from the front of Mr.. Ed. Peteas'
residence, they continued few rods until
they came to a narrow, unused cross street
which led to the left. Just at the entrance
of this last named narrow street, on the
right side, they commenced digging, under
the instructions of Mr. John II. Mashburn,
an old resident, and worked steadily for two
hours making an irregular excavation
about 10 feet long, feet wide and feet
deep.
The results of their research were laid
carefully one side as they were found. They
consisted of portion of the leg, foot, arm
and rib bones of a human body, and no more
of them could be found.
These were the mortal remains of Capt. j.
]. Andrews, the intrepid leader of as brave
and gallant a band of men as ever wore the
blue or gray, known in history as the
Mitchell Raiders" Bridge Burners" or
Engine Thieves The thrilling adventures
and final capture of these men on the West
ern and Atlantic railroad, on April IL, 1862,
sounds like romance III these sober days,
and is familiar to every household, both
North and South.
Andrews escaped from prison at Chatta-
nooga ON Sunday, June 2 but was recap
tured on the next day, and having been
condemned as a spy by court martial and
sentenced TO be hung, he was brought 10
Atlanta for that purpose on the evening OF
June 8. He was carried out Peachtree road,
| followed by large crowd, to the galloWs,
which had been erected in the ravine, with
in few rods of where his remains were
found. AT this time the limits of the town
of Atlanta proper did not extend within
| nearly mile of this spot and the ground
was covered with forest trees He was ac-
companied by three clergymen-Messrs.
Scott, Conyers and Conners-each of whom
stood beside him on the scatfold and offered
prayer and words of consolation. The
former gave the dying message Of the pris-
oner which had been con1ided to him, and
| is said to have used his influence for re-
Spite but no one could, if they would, re-
| woke the decree that had been solennly pro-
| nounced Rev. Scott is still a highly
respected citizen of Atlanta, and there are
several others now living i'll the city who
witnessed the impressive scene. Capt.
| Andrews bore the trying ordeal like true
| soldier, nwaking feelings of admiration and
regret In the minds OF the men upon whom
| involved the unpleasant duty of carrying
out his sentence, and after the three clergy
| men had graSped his hand in last farewell,
he was launched into eternity. Before his
death he gave his watch and chain as a
keepsake to one who had shown him especial
acts of kindness. After life had become ex-
! tnct he was buried on the side hill, near the
| spot where he was executed
Capt j. J. Andrews was Il native of Han
cock county Virginia, born in 1929, and
reared by pious Presbyterian parents, who
! removed, when he was still a young man, TO
| Southwestern Missouri. A large portion of
| his life had been spent in Fleming county
! Kentucky. At the breaking out Of the war
| he sympathized with the Union caused and
! rendered il signal service as a scout. A record
| OF his career, II II could be obtained, would
! prove TO be one of the most interesting per-
sonal historicsof the war He had no family,
| but was engaged to be married, and the cere-
mony was to have occurred about the date
! of his death.
His remains are said to have been exhumed
| a day or two after they were first buried
| for the purpose of securing his clothing, and
| Immediately reinterred. From the fact that
! the skull bone and other bones are missing.
/ 1t is supposedthat they must have been after
| ward disturbed. The place of his interment
/ has always been known 10 family living
| in the vicinity and the sad story has often
been told to the children who visited the spot
aud tried 10 realize, from the fate OF poor
! Andrews, the dread realities of the terrible
/ strife. 4 farther and more extended search
is soon To be made for the balance OF the re-
mains. The portion which has been secured
! has been placed in the temporary charge of
! Dr. Wilson, at the Surgical Institute. They
are to be sent 10 Chattanooga b. be- buried
| in the National Cemetery beside those Of the
seven other unfortunate members OF his
band who were hung at what is now a por
ton Of Oakland Cemetery, june IS 1852.
and funds are to be raised for the erection Of
! a suitable monument there.
For the past ten years repeated efforts
hnye been made 10 find the remains OF Capt
Andrews, aud much time has been expended
by survivors OF the expeditions aud Others
no VAIN, md u was generally supposed that
ou nccount pf the g1lding Of new streets
ctr. va" cxnct location Of the grave would
never be n-oeitainCd The portion Of the
remains that have been found are identified
beyond dispute, and tho success which has
crowned The recent efforts Is due W Sheriff
Thomas Deputy Green, Mr j. H. MASH
hurue and utheit Mai Kirloo received
orders ifuW The Secretary At War Last
November 90 secure Capt Andrews remains
f possible end hs Nil have charge N Their
Irinteiment NJ the National eoemetery ID
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